When Grafton Township was founded in 1850, the area population was recorded at 440. By 1870, the township population had grown to 1,359. Thomas Stillwell Huntley (1807-1894) was the first elected Supervisor of Grafton Township; that is the only elected office he ever held. He was much loved and respected by the area residents; that his obituary stated that “his kindness and generosity will always be remembered so long as the history of the town remains”. The area was first settled as a farm community. Good land and hard work made for a surplus of farm products and local farmers were able to produce enough milk to supply local creameries and to send milk to other milk plants in Chicago. Grafton contains a large proportion of low, wet land about the central parts, hence is better adapted to stock than grain, and like the neighboring townships of Coral and Algonquin, the leading industry among the farmers is the dairy business. This township is one of the southern tier, being joined on the south by Kane County, on the east by Algonquin, on north by Dorr, and the west by Coral. It is township 43, range 7. 

Quick Facts

• Located in McHenry County Illinois.
• Serving Huntley IL, Algonquin IL, Lakewood IL, Crystal Lake IL, and Lake in the Hills IL
• Population - 53,125 (2010) 
• Area - 36 square miles

Families in need of back to school assistance: Please call the Salvation Army Corps Community Center located at 290 W. Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. 815-455-2769 Eligibility is income based. For more information please click HERE for English, or HERE for Spanish. Backpacks will be distributed at the time you apply. Distribution begins on July 30th. Please call for date and time 815-455-2769.

Grafton Township is still available to assist residents in need. Please contact our office to get direction on how to apply. No paper applications will be accepted. All applications and documents must be emailed or faxed to our office. If you need assistance please call 847-669-3328. Fax # 847-669-9256

General Assistance/Emergency Assistance -  Grafton Township Residents Only  

Please call to make an appointment to return your application.

If you are unsure if you reside in Grafton Township, please call our office and we will help 847-669-3328.

Grafton Township offers General and Emergency Assistance to Grafton Township residents only. If you need assistance, and you live in Grafton Township,  please print out and complete the G.A./E.A. Application, and the Medical Inquiry form. 

The objective of EA is to assist in emergency situations, such as a disconnection notice on a utility bill, a letter of pending eviction, or an eviction notice.

If the amount needed to alleviate the emergency exceeds the grant amount, the township may not pay until the client comes up with the difference. The cooperation of several agencies may be needed to alleviate the problem.

Please call to schedule an appointment to return your completed G.A./E.A. Application, Medical Resource Inquiry Form, and required documents. 847-669-3328 

For additional Assistance Resources, please click HERE.

McHenry County Housing Authority list of Resources click HERE.

Huntley Salvation Army -  Huntley Residents Only

Grafton Township is the Huntley branch for the Salvation Army. If you are a resident of Huntley, and you need help, please print out the Salvation Army Application, and call Grafton Township for an appointment to return your completed application. For more information go to the Supervisor's section on this website. All other McHenry County residents need to apply at the Crystal Lake Salvation Army. Please call them at 815-455-2769 to check for rules and eligibility.

Please call to schedule an appointment to return your application. 847-669-3328 

Home Delivered Senior Meals Program 

Are you in need of home delivered meals? Catholic Charities of McHenry County is now delivering meals to seniors age 60 and over. Formerly known as Meals on Wheels, this program helps home bound seniors get a daily hot nutritious meal. If you live in McHenry County and would like to sign up for this program, please call 1-800-339-3200. Click HERE to view the flyer for McHenry County residents. For Kane County residents please call the Kane Senior Council @ 1-630-338-0999. Click HERE to view the Kane County Flyer.

If you are interested in volunteering to deliver meals, please contact one of the agencies above.

Senior Bingo

Due to the current Corona virus pandemic, and our extreme concern for our local senior's safety, we have decided to cancel our upcoming 2020 Senior Bingo Events indefinitely. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact our office.

TLS Veterans - Transforming Lives Through Service to Veterans

Do you know a Veteran who needs food, housing, employment, or transition support? TLS Veterans provides Veterans in need and their families the services necessary to experience hope and achieve success. Services at the McHenry site are confidential and provided free of charge. There are eligibility requirements for some services, and the Resource Center is an excellent place to call or stop in to ask for more information and obtain program specific fliers. We welcome Veterans and their families, as well as active military and reserves. For more information please call TLS Veterans at 815-679-6667 or click HERE to go to their website. TLS Veterans is located at 5330 West Elm Street McHenry, IL. 60050. For the TLS program New Horizons, Transitional Living for Veterans please call 815-648-2203. 

The M.C.H.A. has a variety of services available to McHenry County residents. Some of the programs offered are: Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, Public Housing in scattered 3 bedroom homes throughout McHenry County, Senior Housing for low income seniors and people with disabilities in 2 rental developments, Administers Homeless Prevention Program, Emergency Shelter Program, Administers a Rehab program that assists low income home owners repair their homes, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(LIHEAP) that assists low income households with the cost of heating and cooling their homes, and Administers the Weatherization Program that assists low income households to make repairs to their homes that will reduce the cost of heating and cooling their homes. 

To learn more about the programs that are available and how to qualify, click HERE to go to the M.C.H.A. website.

Click HERE to view The McHenry County Housing Authority's Resource Guide - This comprehensive list of resources will help you find various types of assistance throughout the county such as: Food Pantries, Veterans Assistance Programs, Medical Care, Dental Care, Diaper Banks, Pet related Services, Affordable and Subsidized Housing, Local Shelters, and so much more. For more information about these programs, and to see if you qualify, please visit or call the McHenry County Housing Authority 1108 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, IL.  815-338-7752.

2-1-1 (United Way)

2-1-1 is the United Way, and an extensive resource database for anyone needing assistance. 2-1-1 provides a free and easy way for everyone to access help with almost any challenge. When you dial 2-1-1, you will be connected with a call center that will direct you to the appropriate social service agency or nonprofit organization. Trained specialists will quickly assess your needs and offer knowledgeable information and referral. Totally confidential. Please call 2-1-1 or go to www.findhelp211.org for more assistance information.

Grafton Township provides transportation to Seniors (60+) and Individuals with Disabilities, who reside in Grafton Township, using the McRide Program. McRide provides an expanded travel area, new McRide Point Destinations, and expanded travel hours including new Sunday hours. 

To register and schedule your ride call 800-451-4599, Monday - Friday, 5:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.